Caves of Assynt

Assynt
is the best Scottish caving region. Three caves have over 1km of
passage, and the longest over 2km. The club has two huts in the area,
the newest of which, Taig nam Faimh,
was recently officially opened.

There are three main regions (only the most significant caves are listed):

For more details, including cave surveys, please see Alastair's pages.

Otter Hole

Uamh An Claonaite

Currently the longest cave in Scotland. View a
location map.
A squeeze down the
entrance climb and a short walk reaches the first sump. A wet crawl
at the side by-passes it to reveal a second sump and a second by-pass.
The most sporting section of the cave follows; some deep pools and a
unique waterslide. Only divers can pass the third, fourth, fifth,
and sixths sumps! The Great Northern Time Machine, a huge chamber
large enough to contain Edinburgh's Usher Hall, is then reached,
adequate reward for those brave (or foolhardy) enough to reach it.
Bones found there are currently being examined by experts. Digging
is continuing at a seventh sump.

Allt Nan Uamh Stream Cave

Popularly known by it's initials, ANUS Cave is the most complex
subterranean maze in Scotland. View a
location map.
Completely different from Uamh An
Claonaite, ANUS is mostly dry with some large chambers.
The Farr extensions, for divers only until the January 1999
breakthrough, are over 600m.

Uamh Ard

Bone Caves

The Bone Caves are to be found at the base of the cliffs on Creag
Nan Uamh, above the talus slope. Bones and other artefacts of human
settlement were discovered inside and so the caves are now a protected
area.

Rana Hole

Originally just a dig on the top of Creag Nan Uamh, Rana Hole
now connects with Uamh An Claonaite after the sumps, thus
allowing access to the Great Northern Time Machine.
[see the rigging guide]